Recent from talks
Annalisa Piras
Knowledge base stats:
Talk channels stats:
Members stats:
Annalisa Piras
Annalisa Piras is a London-based Italian-British prominent filmmaker, journalist, producer, writer and activist known for her innovative work that explores political and social issues, particularly within the context of the European Union. Overall, Annalisa Piras's body of work is distinguished by its particular focus on European political and social landscapes.
She directs The Wake Europe Project, an educational social enterprise she co-founded with Bill Emmott, former editor of The Economist. In 2019, they ran the first Wake Up Europe Impact Films Festival, the first ever transnational impact documentary festival entirely devoted to showcasing the best films produced worldwide to highlight the shared challenges our Western societies face, with a special focus on the meaning of a European civic conscience.
She is currently the director of Springshot Productions, an independent production company which specialises in hard-hitting, current affairs documentaries.
Documentary Filmmaking Filmography
In 2012, Annalisa Piras produced, co-wrote and directed the first independent feature documentary on Italy as seen from abroad, Girlfriend in a Coma, working with Bill Emmott, former editor of The Economist, as co-author and narrator. The film was made by Springshot Productions.
The documentary is inspired by Emmott's book Good Italy, Bad Italy (Yale University Press), as well as by Piras's patriotic passion and insight about the country she left in the early 1990s. Inspired by the Divine Comedy, it features Benedict Cumberbatch as Dante Alighieri's voice, and British artist Phoebe Boswell's animations. It was broadcast on BBC Four, Sky Italia, and La7 TV channels early in 2013, and subsequently on other channels worldwide as well as in public screenings. https://uniondocs.org/event/2013-10-13-girlfriend-in-a-coma/ The “Girlfriend in a Coma” title is a citation of a British musical hit by The Smiths from their album Strangeways (1987). The film has been acclaimed as one of the sharpest analyses of contemporary Italy. Le Monde defined it as "a desperate love letter to Italy". The New York Times wrote: "combining wit and gravitas, 'Girlfriend in a Coma' deftly navigates Italy’s troubled waters, offering both a critique and a celebration of a nation in crisis." The Financial Times: "Annalisa Piras and Bill Emmott deliver a powerful indictment of Italy’s political and economic malaise, making 'Girlfriend in a Coma' a must-watch for anyone interested in the future of Italy." The Huffington Post emphasized the documentary’s emotional impact and its call to action for Italians and global audiences alike. They appreciated the film’s honest and unflinching portrayal of Italy’s condition: "Annalisa Piras’s 'Girlfriend in a Coma' is not just a film but a heartfelt plea for change, urging viewers to not only recognize but also rectify the failings of Italian society." Variety noted the film’s compelling narrative style and effective use of historical and contemporary footage. They acknowledged the documentary’s success in shedding light on complex issues in an accessible manner: "With its engaging storytelling and sharp analysis, 'Girlfriend in a Coma' is a wake-up call for Italy, urging viewers to confront and address the deep-seated issues plaguing the nation."
2015
"The Great European Disaster Movie”. BBC, Arte Tv, SVT, Springshot Productions. In 2014, Piras wrote, directed and produced with Bill Emmott the documentary “The Great European Disaster Movie” on the crisis of the European Union co-produced by Nick Fraser for the BBC Storyville strand, Claudia Bucher, for Arte TV, and Axel Arno for SVT, Swedish public TV.
Hub AI
Annalisa Piras AI simulator
(@Annalisa Piras_simulator)
Annalisa Piras
Annalisa Piras is a London-based Italian-British prominent filmmaker, journalist, producer, writer and activist known for her innovative work that explores political and social issues, particularly within the context of the European Union. Overall, Annalisa Piras's body of work is distinguished by its particular focus on European political and social landscapes.
She directs The Wake Europe Project, an educational social enterprise she co-founded with Bill Emmott, former editor of The Economist. In 2019, they ran the first Wake Up Europe Impact Films Festival, the first ever transnational impact documentary festival entirely devoted to showcasing the best films produced worldwide to highlight the shared challenges our Western societies face, with a special focus on the meaning of a European civic conscience.
She is currently the director of Springshot Productions, an independent production company which specialises in hard-hitting, current affairs documentaries.
Documentary Filmmaking Filmography
In 2012, Annalisa Piras produced, co-wrote and directed the first independent feature documentary on Italy as seen from abroad, Girlfriend in a Coma, working with Bill Emmott, former editor of The Economist, as co-author and narrator. The film was made by Springshot Productions.
The documentary is inspired by Emmott's book Good Italy, Bad Italy (Yale University Press), as well as by Piras's patriotic passion and insight about the country she left in the early 1990s. Inspired by the Divine Comedy, it features Benedict Cumberbatch as Dante Alighieri's voice, and British artist Phoebe Boswell's animations. It was broadcast on BBC Four, Sky Italia, and La7 TV channels early in 2013, and subsequently on other channels worldwide as well as in public screenings. https://uniondocs.org/event/2013-10-13-girlfriend-in-a-coma/ The “Girlfriend in a Coma” title is a citation of a British musical hit by The Smiths from their album Strangeways (1987). The film has been acclaimed as one of the sharpest analyses of contemporary Italy. Le Monde defined it as "a desperate love letter to Italy". The New York Times wrote: "combining wit and gravitas, 'Girlfriend in a Coma' deftly navigates Italy’s troubled waters, offering both a critique and a celebration of a nation in crisis." The Financial Times: "Annalisa Piras and Bill Emmott deliver a powerful indictment of Italy’s political and economic malaise, making 'Girlfriend in a Coma' a must-watch for anyone interested in the future of Italy." The Huffington Post emphasized the documentary’s emotional impact and its call to action for Italians and global audiences alike. They appreciated the film’s honest and unflinching portrayal of Italy’s condition: "Annalisa Piras’s 'Girlfriend in a Coma' is not just a film but a heartfelt plea for change, urging viewers to not only recognize but also rectify the failings of Italian society." Variety noted the film’s compelling narrative style and effective use of historical and contemporary footage. They acknowledged the documentary’s success in shedding light on complex issues in an accessible manner: "With its engaging storytelling and sharp analysis, 'Girlfriend in a Coma' is a wake-up call for Italy, urging viewers to confront and address the deep-seated issues plaguing the nation."
2015
"The Great European Disaster Movie”. BBC, Arte Tv, SVT, Springshot Productions. In 2014, Piras wrote, directed and produced with Bill Emmott the documentary “The Great European Disaster Movie” on the crisis of the European Union co-produced by Nick Fraser for the BBC Storyville strand, Claudia Bucher, for Arte TV, and Axel Arno for SVT, Swedish public TV.
Recent media